Antibodies, and methods for their use

Abstract

This invention relates to antibodies and is particularly, though not exclusively, concerned with diagnostic and therapeutic methods' using monoclonal, bi-or tri-specific antibodies. The invention also provides a method in which binding of a first antigen to a first antibody antigen binding site cause release of a second antigen from an adjacent second antibody antigen binding site.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of delivering an antigen to a patient comprising the steps of: administering to a patient a first antigen bound to a first antigen binding site of an antibody having a first and second antigen binding site, wherein the patient's body contains a second antigen, wherein binding of the second antigen to the second antigen binding site of the antibody causes release of the first antigen from the first antigen binding site.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first antigen is selected from the group consisting of a therapeutic agent and a cosmetic agent. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first antigen is inactive when bound to the first antigen binding site and is active when released from the first antigen binding site. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 3 wherein the first antigen is selected from the group consisting of a drug, an enzyme, and a cosmetic agent. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 wherein after release of the first antigen from the first antigen binding site the first antigen or a reaction product of the first antigen binds to a third antigen binding site, wherein the binding to the third antigen binding site causes release of a prebound third antigen from an adjacent fourth antigen binding site. 
     
     
       6. A kit comprising: a first antibody having a first and a second antigen binding site for a first and a second antigen, respectively;   a second antibody having a third and fourth antigen binding site; wherein the first antigen is a diagnostic marker and the second antigen is an enzyme; wherein the second antigen is enzymatically inactive when bound to the second antigen binding site; wherein the second antigen is released in an active form when the first antigen binds to the first antigen binding site; wherein a reaction product of the enzyme binds to the third antigen binding site and the binding at the third antigen binding site causes the release of a drug from the fourth antigen binding site.   
     
     
       7. The kit of claim 6 further comprising: the second antigen which is prebound to the second antigen binding site.   
     
     
       8. The kit of claim 6 further comprising: the drug which is prebound to the fourth antigen binding site.   
     
     
       9. The kit of claim 8 wherein the second antigen and the drug are prebound to the second antigen binding site and the fourth antigen binding site, respectively. 
     
     
       10. The kit of claim 6 wherein the drug is inactive when bound to the second antibody. 
     
     
       11. A trispecific antibody comprising: a first antigen binding site directed to a diagnostic marker;   a second antigen binding site directed to an enzyme; and   a third antigen binding site directed to and bound to a drug or other therapeutic agent, wherein the drug or other therapeutic agent is inactive when bound, wherein upon binding of the diagnostic marker to the first antigen binding site the enzyme is released from the second antigen binding site and the therapeutic agent is released from the third antigen binding site.   
     
     
       12. A multi-specific antibody comprising: a first antigen binding site directed to a first antigen which is a marker indicative of a disease or microorganism; and   a second antigen binding site directed to a drug or other therapeutic agent; wherein binding of the first antigen to the first antigen binding site causes release of the drug or other therapeutic agent from the second antigen binding site.   
     
     
       13. The antibody of claim 12 wherein the drug or other therapeutic agent is inactive when bound. 
     
     
       14. A therapeutic method comprising the steps of: administering to a patient one or two multi-specific antibodies having a first, second, third, and fourth antigen binding site, wherein a first and a second prodrug are bound at the first and second antigen binding sites, wherein upon binding of a first and a second diagnostic marker molecule to the third and fourth antigen binding sites the two prodrugs are released, wherein the first and second prodrugs are active only when released in each other's presence.